"We had never rescued a live human being going back to Oklahoma, 9/11," Monahan said. "So this was a milestone."

Later that same year, Hunter became the first nonhuman to be named firefighter of the year. The canine also helped out in the Japan earthquake in 2011. And before that, he worked the 2008 Chatsworth train derailment and other tragic events.

On Thursday, Hunter was honored with a trip to Fire Station No. 136 in Palmdale and then surrounded by family at a park in Fullerton, where he ate cheeseburgers, french fries, a milkshake and a cake. It was the first time he'd ever been served human food.

Hunter was then taken to a veterinarian in Garden Grove, where he was put to sleep.

Monahan said he has refused to get another dog since Hunter retired from service in January.

"I could not duplicate him," said Monahan, adding he plans to retire also. "But I'm going out winning the Super Bowl."